Drafting software will typically use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to create or optimize a design. This type of AutoCAD software allows engineers, architects, and designers to make precision drawings and technical illustrations in both 2D and 3D formats. This will not only increase productivity and design quality but will also maximize your organization potential by creating a documentation database that can be used for manufacturing. AEC software and other drafting programs can be used in a number of applications, which can include but may not be limited to:
- Designing parts used for manufacturing.
- Designing electronic circuit boards.
- Designing prototypes for 3D printers.
- Designing buildings and other structures.
Drafting software will use either traditional vector-based or raster graphics to show how the finished object would actually look. AutoCAD software can also be used to organize the workflow for both the design and manufacturing process. It can simulate the movements of a part through the manufacturing process, and it can do it in three dimensions. There are also more specialized programs that can be used to design the manufacturing process and to plan the control of machine tools. This technology is called Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and is often integrated with CAD in a single platform.
Drafting software will often have the following features:
- 2D and 3D design.
- Electrical design.
- CAM integration.
- Simulation and analysis.
- Augmented reality.
- Data management.
- Additive manufacturing.
AEC software and other types of drafting programs can vary in price. And because it’s one of the oldest software categories on the market, there are a number of options (such as open-source programs) that are available for free. Students and teachers can also get discounts and in some cases, free licenses. Small business professionals can get these programs for as little as $99 a year, but enterprise-level companies should expect to pay at least $1,000 a year to support CAD programs being used across multiple teams.
If you’re looking for drafting software that you can use for Computer-Aided Design, feel free to look at what we have at Engineer Supply.